Foreign direct investment by MNCs has undoubtedly been a very significant contributor to economic growth in Ireland over recent decades. While the current economic crisis will likely curb the pace of globalisation, the internationalisation of business activity is likely to continue. Indeed, as late as 2008 Ireland experienced high levels of new investment by MNCs while concurrently witnessing closures and disinvestment in the MNC sector. This volume is therefore particularly timely. Not only does it come at a time of immense challenge for the Irish and international economy but it also addresses key issues regarding employment practice in MNCs in Ireland. This volume is based on data gathered through a comprehensive and highly representative survey of human resource (HR) practice in MNCs in Ireland. It addresses critical areas of employment practice including pay and performance management, employee representation and consultation, employee communication and involvement, training, development and organisational learning and also autonomy, coordination and control within multinational companies.

This work forms part of a larger international project involving parallel studies by research teams in Australia (University of Newcastle, Victoria University, University of Wollongong & La Trobe University), Canada (University of Montreal, HEC Montreal and Laval University), Denmark & Norway (Copenhagen Business School, University of Copenhagen and the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration), Mexico (El Colegio del Norte), Spain (IESE, University of Navarra) and the UK (De Montfort University, King's College, London and the University of Warwick).